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208224

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THIRD DIVISION

November 22, 2017

G.R. No. 208224

DR. JOSEPH L. MALIXI, DR. EMELITA Q. FIRMACION, IVIARIETTA MENDOZA, AURORA AGUSTIN, NORA
AGUILAR, MA. THERESA M. BEFETEL, and MYRNA NISAY, Petitioners

vs.
DR. GLORY V. BALTAZAR, Respondent

DECISION

LEONEN, J.:

This is a Petition for Review on Certiorari1 under Rule 45 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, praying that the
January 22, 20132 and July 16, 20133 Resolutions of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 127252 and the
October 17, 2011 Decision4 and July 17, 2012 Resolution5 of the Civil Service Commission be reversed and set
aside.6 The Civil Service Commission dismissed the administrative complaint of herein petitioners Dr. Jose L. Malixi
(Dr. Malixi), Dr. Emelita Q. Finnacion (Dr. Firmacion), Marietta Mendoza (Mendoza), Aurora Agustin (Agustin), Nora
Aguilar (Aguilar), Ma. Theresa M. Befetel (Befetel), and Myrna Nisay (Nisay) against herein respondent Dr. Glory V.
Baltazar (Baltazar) for violating the rule on forum shopping.7 The Court of Appeals dismissed the Petition for
Certiorari filed by petitioners on procedural grounds.8

In their Complaint9 dated December 15, 2010, petitioners prayed before the Civil Service Commission that
respondent Dr. Baltazar be held administratively liable for gross misconduct and that she be dismissed from
service.10

Petitioners were employees of Bataan General Hospital holding the following positions: Dr. Malixi was the Vice
President of the Samahan ng Manggagawa ng Bataan General Hospital, Dr. Firmacion was a Medical Specialist II,
Mendoza and Agustin were both Nurse III, Aguilar and Befetel were both Nurse II, and Nisay was a Nursing
Attendant II. Meanwhile, Dr. Baltazar was the Officer-in-Charge Chief of Bataan General Hospital.11

Petitioners alleged that sometime in May 2008, the Department of Health and the Province of Bataan entered into a
Memorandum of Agreement regarding the construction of Bataan General Hospital's three (3)-storey building. While
this Memorandum was in effect, the Department of Health, through then Secretary Francisco T. Duque (Duque),
issued Department Personnel Order No. 2008-1452, appointing Dr. Baltazar as the hospital's Officer-in-Charge.12

According to petitioners, the Department of Health and the Province of Bataan entered into a Supplemental
Memorandum.13 One (1) of the provisions stated that the parties agreed to give the supervision of the hospital to the
Secretary of Health or "his duly authorized representative with a minimum rank of Assistant Secretary[.]"14 A third
Memorandum of Agreement was executed by the parties on June 16, 2009, but the Department of Health refused to
renew the agreement "due to a complaint already filed before the Honorable Congresswoman Herminia Roman, and
before the Department of Health."15

In their Complaint, petitioners questioned the validity of Dr. Baltazar's appointment and qualifications.16 They alleged
that her appointment was "without any basis, experience[,] or expertise[.]"17 They claimed that she was appointed
only by virtue of an endorsement of the Bataan Governor and without the prescribed Career Service Executive

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18
Board qualifications. Thus, her appointment violated Sections 8(1)(c), 8(2), 21 (1), and 22 of Book V of the
Administrative Code, which provide:

SECTION 8. Classes of Positions in the Career Service.- (1) Classes of positions in the career service
appointment to which requires examinations shall be grouped into three major levels as follows;

....

(c) The third level shall cover positions in the Career Executive Service.

(2) Except as herein otherwise provided, entrance to the first two levels shall be through competitive
examinations, which shall be open to those inside and outside the service who meet the minimum
qualification requirements. Entrance to a higher level does not require previous qualification in the
lower level. Entrance to the third level shall be prescribed by the Career Executive Service Board.

....

SECTION 21. Recruitment and Selection of Employees. - (1) Opportunity for government employment
shall be open to all qualified citizens and positive efforts shall be exerted to attract the best qualified to
enter the service, Employees shall be selected on the basis of fitness to perform the duties and
assume the responsibilities of the positions.

....

SECTION 22. Qualification Standards. - (1) A qualification standard expresses the minimum
requirements for a class of positions in terms of education, training and experience, civil service
eligibility, physical fitness, and other qualities required for successful performance. The degree of
qualifications of an officer or employee shall be determined by the appointing authority on the basis of
the qualification standard for the particular position.

Qualification standards shall be used as basis for civil service examinations for positions in the career
service, as guides in appointment and other personnel actions, in the adjudication of protested
appointments, in determining training needs, and as aid in the inspection and audit of the agencies'
personnel work programs.

It shall be administered in such manner as to continually provide incentives to officers and employees
towards professional growth and foster the career system in the government service.

(2) The establishment, administration and maintenance of qualification standards shall be the
responsibility of the department or agency, with the assistance and approval of the Civil Service
Commission and in consultation with the Wage and Position Classification Office.19 (Emphasis and
underscoring in the original)

Petitioners pointed out that Dr. Baltazar's appointment was by virtue of a secondment pursuant to the Memorandum
of Agreement. Her third year as Officer-in.Charge via secondment already violated the law for failing to comply with
the required qualification standards.20 Granting that there was compliance, secondment that exceeds one (1) year is
subject to the Civil Service Commission's approval under Section 9(a),21 Rule VII of the Omnibus Rules
Implementing Book V of Executive Order No. 292 and Department of Health Administrative Order No. 46, series of
2001. Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 15, series of 1999 likewise provides that the contract of
secondment should be submitted to the Commission within 30 days from its execution. A year after Dr. Baltazar's
secondment, the Commission did not issue any authority for her to continue to hold office as Officer-in-Charge of the
hospital. Hence, her assumption without the required authority was deemed illegal.22

Petitioners averred that the non-renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement by the Department of Health rendered
her appointment ineffective. Her holding of the position after this non-renewal was already illegal.23

In addition to Dr. Baltazar's alleged invalid appointment and lack of qualifications, petitioners contended that she
committed several abusive and malevolent acts detrimental to Bataan General Hospital's officers and employees.24
She authorized the collection of fees for the insertion and removal of intravenous fluids and fees for the Nurse
Station without any legal basis.25 She also caused the removal from payroll of an employee, who, up to the filing of
the Complaint, had yet to receive remuneration, hazard pay, subsistence, and other allowances.26

Petitioners likewise alleged that Dr. Baltazar manipulated the creation of the Selection and Promotion Board to give
her control over the personnel's employment and promotion. She also disregarded the next-inline rule when it
comes to appointment and promotion of employees.27

Furthermore, Dr. Baltazar allegedly employed two (2) doctors as contractual employees who were paid ₱20,000.00
but worked only half the time rendered by an employee-doctor of Bataan General Hospital. Lastly, petitioners
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claimed that Dr. Baltazar allowed her doctor siblings to accommodate private patients while expressly prohibiting
other doctors to do the same.28

On October 17, 2011, the Civil Service Commission rendered a Decision29 dismissing the Complaint on the ground
of forum shopping. The Civil Service Commission found that all elements of forum shopping were present in the
case and that petitioners' letter dated September 7, 2010 filed with the Department of Health contained the same
allegations against Dr. Baltazar and sought for the same relief. Finally, the judgment by the Department of Health
would result to res judicata in the case before the Civil Service Commission. It also noted that another case was
pending before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged removal of an employee in the hospital's
payroll.30

Nevertheless, the Civil Service Commission resolved the issue of Dr. Baltazar's appointment "[f]or clarificatory
purposes[.]"31 It held that Dr. Baltazar was not appointed as Officer-in-Charge of Bataan General Hospital but was
merely seconded to the position. Section 6 of the Civil Service Commission Circular No. 40, series of 1998, only
requires that seconded employees occupy a "professional, technical and scientific position[.]"32

The Civil Service Commission added that the approval requirement for secondments that exceed one (1) year was
already amended by Civil Service Commission Circular No. 06-1165.33 The new circular merely required that the
Memorandum of Agreement or the secondment contract be submitted to the Commission "for records purposes[.]"34
Failure to submit within 30 days from the execution of the agreement or contract will only make the secondment in
effect 30 days before the submission date.35

On the alleged violation of the next-in-line rule, the Civil Service Commission held that "[e]mployees holding
positions next-in-rank to the vacated position do not enjoy any vested right thereto for purposes of promotion."36
Seniority will only be considered if the candidates possess the same qualifications.37

The dispositive portion of the Civil Service Commission Decision read:

WHEREFORE, the complaint of Dr. Joseph L. Malixi, Dr. Emelita Q. Firmacion, Marietta Mendoza,
Aurora Agustin, Nora Aguilar, Ma. Theresa M. Befetel and Myrna Nisay against Dr. Glory V. Baltazar for
Dishonesty; Misconduct; Oppression; Violation of Existing Civil Service Law and Rules or Reasonable
Office Regulations; and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and Being Notoriously
Undesirable is hereby DISMISSED for violation of the rule against forum-shopping.38 (Emphasis in the
original)

Petitioners moved for reconsideration and argued that the letter before the Department of Health was simply a
request to meet the Secretary, and not a Complaint. Furthermore, the letter before the Department of Health and the
Complaint before the Civil Service Commission did not contain the same parties or seek the same relief.39

On July 17, 2012, the Civil Service Commission promulgated a Resolution40 denying the Motion for Reconsideration.
It held that it was the Department of Health that considered petitioners' letter as their complaint, and not the Civil
Service Commission. Moreover, the Department of Health already exercised jurisdiction over the case when it
required Dr. Baltazar to comment on the letter-complaint.41

Petitioners elevated the case before the Court of Appeals.

On January 22, 2013, the Court of Appeals issued a Minute Resolution,42 dismissing the appeal:

The petition is DISMISSED in view of the following:

1. the dates when the assailed Decision was received and when [a Motion for Reconsideration] thereto
was filed are not indicated;

2. the attached October 17, 2011 Decision and July 17, 2012 Resolution are mere photocopies;

3. petitioner's counsel's [Mandatory Continuing Legal Education] date of compliance is not indicated;
and

4. there are no proofs of competent evidence of identities.43

Petitioners moved for reconsideration, which was denied by the Court of Appeals in its July 16, 2013 Minute
Resolution.44

On September 4, 2013, petitioners filed a Petition for Review45 against Dr. Baltazar before this Court. They pray for
the reversal of the Decision and Resolution of the Court of Appeals and of the Decision and Resolution of the Civil
Service Commission.46

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Petitioners maintain that they indicated the important dates in their appeal before the Court of Appeals and that they
attached certified true copies of the assailed Decision and Resolution.47 However, they admit that they failed to
indicate the date of their counsel's Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLB) compliance and to provide proof
of "competent evidence of identities."48

Petitioners also deny that they committed forum shopping. The alleged Complaint sent to the Department of Health
was a mere letter stating the employees' grievances and objections to the illegalities and violations committed by
respondent. It was a mere request for the Department of Health Secretary to tackle the issues and investigate the
concerns in the hospital's management. This letter was not intended to serve as a formal Complaint. They request
that this Court set aside the issue on forum shopping and that the case be resolved on its merits.49

On January 14, 2014, respondent filed her Comment50 and prayed for the dismissal of the petition. She argues that
the procedural infirmities of petitioners’ appeal are fatal to their case.51

On February 27, 2014, petitioners filed their Reply.52 They reiterated their request for the relaxation of procedural
rules and the resolution of the case based on its merits. They also disclosed that Civil Service Commission
Chairman Duque, who signed the October 17, 2011 Decision, was formerly the Department of Health Secretary who
seconded respondent as Bataan General Hospital's Officer-in-Charge. Lastly, petitioners added that their letter to
the Department of Health was not a Complaint since it was not assigned a case number.53

The sole issue for this Court's resolution is whether or not the Court of Appeals erred in dismissing the petition
based on procedural grounds.

Procedural rules are essential in the administration of justice. The importance of procedural rules in the adjudication
of disputes has been reiterated in numerous cases.54 In Santos v. Court of Appeals, et al.:55

Procedural rules are not to be disdained as mere technicalities that may be ignored at will to suit the
convenience of a party. Adjective law is important in insuring the effective enforcement of substantive
rights through the orderly and speedy administration of justice. These rules are not intended to hamper
litigants or complicate litigation but, indeed, to provide for a system under which suitors may be heard
in the correct form and manner and at the prescribed time in a peaceful confrontation before a judge
whose authority they acknowledge. The other alternative is the settlement of their conflict through the
barrel of a gun.56

Moreover, in Le Soleil Int'l. Logistics Co., Inc,. et al. v. Sanchez, et al.:57

Time and again, we have stressed that procedural rules do not exist for the convenience of the litigants;
the rules were established primarily to provide order to, and enhance the efficiency of, our judicial
system.58

In this case, the Court of Appeals pointed out four (4) procedural infirmities:

1. the dates when the assailed Decision was received and when [a Motion for Reconsideration] thereto
was filed are not indicated;

2. the attached October 17, 2011 Decision and July 17, 2012 Resolution are mere photocopies;

3. petitioner's counsel's [Mandatory Continuing Legal Education] date of compliance is not indicated;
and

4. there are no proofs of competent evidence of identities.59

Technical rules serve a purpose. They are not made to discourage litigants from pursuing their case nor are they
fabricated out of thin air. Every section in the Rules of Court and every issuance of this Court with respect to
procedural rules are promulgated with the objective of a more efficient judicial system.

On the first procedural rule that petitioners allegedly failed to comply with, this Court explained the rationale of the
requisite material dates in Lapid v. Judge Laurea:60

There are three material dates that must be stated in a petition for certiorari brought under Rule 65.
First, the date when notice of the judgment or final order or resolution was received; second, the date
when a motion for new trial or for reconsideration was filed; and third, the date when notice of the
denial thereof was received ... As explicitly stated in the aforementioned Rule, failure to comply with
any of the requirements shall be sufficient ground for the dismissal of the petition.

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The rationale for this strict provision of the Rules of Court is not difficult to appreciate. As stated in
Santos vs. Court of Appeals, the requirement is for purpose of determining the timeliness of the
petition, thus:

The requirement of setting forth the three (3) dates in a petition for certiorari under Rule 65
is for the purpose of determining its timeliness. Such a petition is required to be filed not
later than sixty (60) days from notice of the judgment, order or Resolution sought to be
assailed. Therefore, that the petition for certiorari was filed forty-one (41) days from receipt
of the denial of the motion for reconsideration is hardly relevant. The Court of Appeals was
not in any position to determine when this period commenced to run and whether the
motion for reconsideration itself was filed on time since the material dates were not stated
...

Moreover, as reiterated in Mabuhay vs. NLRC, ... "As a rule, the perfection of an appeal in the manner
and within the period prescribed by law is jurisdictional and failure to perfect an appeal as required by
law renders the judgment final and executory."61 (Emphasis in the original, citations omitted)

On the second procedural rule, this Court discussed the necessity of certified true copies in Pinakamasarap
Corporation v. National Labor Relations Commission:62

There is a sound reason behind this policy and it is to ensure that the copy of the judgment or order
sought to be reviewed is a faithful reproduction of the original so that the reviewing court would have a
definitive basis in its detern1ination of whether the court, body or tribunal which rendered the assailed
judgment or order committed grave abuse of discretion.63 (Citation omitted)

On the third procedural rule, this Court clarified the importance of complying with the required MCLE information in
Intestate Estate of Jose Uy v. Atty. Maghari:64

The inclusion of information regarding compliance with (or exemption from) Mandatory Continuing
Legal Education (MCLE) seeks to ensure that legal practice is reserved only for those who have
complied with the recognized mechanism for "keep[ing] abreast with law and jurisprudence,
maintain[ing] the ethics of the profession[,] and enhanc[ing] the standards of the practice of law."65

Lastly, proofs of competent evidence of identities are required to ensure "that the allegations are true and correct
and not a product of the imagination or a matter of speculation, and that the pleading is filed in good faith."66

II

Time and again, this Court has relaxed the observance of procedural rules to advance substantial justice.67

In Acaylar, Jr. v. Harayo,68 the Court of Appeals denied petitioner's Petition for Review for failure to state the date he
received the assailed Decision of the Regional Trial Court and the date he filed his Motion for Reconsideration.69
This Court held:

[F]ailure to state the material dates is not fatal to his cause of action, provided the date of his receipt,
i.e., 9 May 2006, of the RTC Resolution dated 18 April 2006 denying his Motion for Reconsideration is
duly alleged in his Petition. In the recent. case of Great Southern Maritime Services Corporation V.
Acuna, we held that "the failure to comply with the rule on a statement of material dates in the petition
may be excused since the dates are evident from the records." The more material date for purposes of
appeal to the Court of Appeals is the date of receipt of the trial court's order denying the motion for
reconsideration. The other material dates may be gleaned from the records of the case if reasonably
evident.

....

Accordingly, the parties are now given the amplest opportunity to fully ventilate their claims and
defenses brushing aside technicalities in order to truly ascertain the merits of this case. Indeed, judicial
cases do not come and go through the portals of a court of law by the mere mandate of technicalities.
Where a rigid application of the rules will result in a manifest failure or miscarriage of justice,
technicalities should be disregarded in order to resolve the case. In Aguam v. Court of Appeals, we
ruled that:

The court has [the] discretion to dismiss or not to dismiss an appellant's appeal. It is a
power conferred on the court, not a duty. The "discretion must be a sound one, to be
exercised in accordance with the tenets of justice and fair play, having in mind the
circumstances obtaining in each case." Technicalities, however, must be avoided. The law
abhors technicalities that impede the cause of justice. The court's primary duty is to render

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or dispense justice. "A litigation is not a game of technicalities." "Law suits, unlike duels,
are not to be won by a rapier's thrust. Technicality, when it deserts its proper office as an
aid to justice and becomes its great hindrance and chief enemy, deserves scant
consideration from courts." Litigation$ must be decided on their merits and not on
technicality. Every party litigant must be afforded the amplest opportunity for the proper
and just determination of his cause, free from the unacceptable plea of technicalities.
Thus, dismissal of appeals purely on technical grounds is frowned upon where the policy
of the court is to encourage hearings of appeals on their merits and the rules of procedure
ought not to be applied in a very rigid, technical sense; rules of procedure are used only to
help secure, not override substantial justice. It is a far better and more prudent course of
action for the court to excuse a technical lapse and afford the parties a review of the case
on appeal to attain the ends of justice rather than dispose of the case on technicality and
cause a grave injustice to the parties, giving a false impression of speedy disposal of
cases while actually resulting in more delay, if not a miscarriage of justice.70 (Citations
omitted)

In Barroga v. Data Center College of the Philippines, et al.,71 petitioner likewise failed to state in his Petition for
Certiorari before the Court of Appeals the date he received the assailed Decision of the National Labor Relations
Commission and the date he filed his Partial Motion for Reconsideration.72 This Court held that "this omission is not
at all fatal because these material dates are reflected in petitioner's Partial Motion for Reconsideration[.]"73 This
Court, citing Acaylar, further held:

In Acaylar, .Jr. v. Harayo, we held that failure to state these two dates in the petition may be excused if
the same are evident from the records of the case. It was further ruled by this Court that the more
important material date which must be duly alleged in the petition is the date of receipt of the resolution
of denial of the motion for reconsideration. In the case at bar, petitioner has duly complied with this rule.

....

The Court has time and again upheld the theory that the rules of procedure are designed to secure and
not to override substantial justice. These are mere tools to expedite the decision or resolution of cases,
hence, their strict and rigid application which would result in technicalities that tend to frustrate rather
than promote substantial justice must be avoided. The CA thus should not have outrightly dismissed
petitioner's petition based on these procedural lapses.74 (Citations omitted)

In Paras v. Judge Baldado,75 the Court of Appeals dismissed petitioners' Petition for Certiorari on purely procedural
grounds. It found that petitioners failed to attach the required certified true copy of the assailed Regional Trial Court
Order in their petition.76 This Court set aside the resolutions of the Court of Appeals and held:

[T]he records reveal that duplicate original copies of the said RTC orders were in fact attached to one
of the seven copies of the petition filed with the Court of Appeals; moreover, copies of the same orders,
this time accomplished by the clerk of court, were submitted by petitioners in their motion for
reconsideration. Thus, the Court finds that there was substantial compliance with the requirement and
the Court of Appeals should have given the petition due course.

"Cases should be determined on the merits, after full opportunity to all parties for ventilation of their
causes and defenses, rather than on technicality or some procedural imperfections. In that way, the
ends of justice would be served better."77 (Citations omitted)

In Durban Apartments Corporation v. Catacutan,78 petitioner also failed to attach certified true copies of the assailed
decisions of the Labor Arbiter and of the National Labor Relations Commission in their petition before the Court of
Appeals. The Court of Appeals dismissed the petition on procedural grounds; but this Court, upon review, decided
the case on its merits.79 This Court held:

[I]n the exercise of its equity jurisdiction, the Court may disregard procedural lapses so that a case may
be resolved on its merits. Rules of procedure should promote, not defeat, substantial justice. Hence,
the Court may opt to apply the Rules liberally to resolve substantial issues raised by the parties.

It is well to remember that this Court, in not a few cases, has consistently held that cases shall be
determined on the merits, after full opportw1ity to all parties for ventilation of their causes and defense,
rather than on technicality or some procedural imperfections. In so doing, the ends of justice would be
better served. The dismissal of cases purely on technical groW1ds is frowned upon and the rules of
procedure ought not to be applied in a very rigid, technical sense, for they are adopted to help secure,
not override, substantial justice, and thereby defeat their very ends. Indeed, rules of procedure are
mere tools designed to expedite the resolution of cases and other matters pending in court. A strict and
rigid application of the rules that would result in technicalities that tend to frustrate rather than promote
justice must be avoided.80 (Citations omitted)
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81
In Manila Electric Company v. Gala, respondent sought for the denial of petitioner's Petition for Review on
Certiorari before this Court for allegedly violating procedural rules, Among the grounds that respondent relied upon
was the failure of petitioner's counsels to state in the petition their updated MCLE certificate numbers.82 This Court
brushed aside the technical infirmity and held:

We stress at this point that it is the spirit and intention of labor legislation that the NLRC and the labor
arbiters shall use every reasonable means to ascertain the facts in each case speedily and objectively,
without regard to technicalities of law or procedure, provided due process is duly observed. In keeping
with this policy and in the interest of substantial justice, we deem it p. roper to g.ive due course to the
petition, especially in view of the conflict between the findings of the labor arbiter, on the one hand, and
the NLRC and the CA, on the other. As we said in S.S. Ventures International, Inc. v. S.S. Ventures
Labor Union, "the application of technical rules of procedure in labor cases may be relaxed to serve the
demands of substantial justice."83 (Citations omitted)

In Doble, Jr. v. ABB, Inc.,84 this Court held that the Court of Appeals erred when it dismissed the Petition for
Certiorari due to the failure of petitioner's counsel to provide information regarding his MCLE compliance.85 Citing
People v. Arrojado,86 this Court held:

On point is People v. Arrojado where it was held that the failure of a lawyer to indicate in his or her
pleadings the number and date of issue of his or her MCLE Certificate of Compliance will no longer
result in the dismissal of the case:

In any event, to avoid inordinate delays in the disposition of cases brought about by a
counsel's failure to indicate in his or her pleadings the number and date of issue of his or
her MCLE Certificate of Compliance, this Court issued an En Banc Resolution, dated
January 14, 2014 which amended B.M. No. 1922 by repealing the phrase "Failure to
disclose the required information would cause the dismissal of the case and the
expunction of the pleadings from the records" and replacing it with "Failure to disclose the
required information would subject the counsel to appropriate penalty and disciplinary
action." Thus, under the amendatory Resolution, the failure of a lawyer to indicate in his or
her pleadings the number and date of issue of his or her MCLE Certificate of Compliance
will no longer result in the dismissal of the case and expunction of the pleadings .from the
records. Nonetheless, such failure will subject the lawyer to the prescribed fine and/or
disciplinary action.

Granted that the Petition for Certiorari was filed before the CA on October 29, 2013 even before the
effectivity of En Banc Resolution dated January 14, 2014 which amended B.M. No. 1922, it bears to
stress that petitioner's counsel later submitted Receipts of Attendance in the MCLE Lecture Series for
his MCLE Compliance IV on March 3, 2014 and the Certificate of Compliance albeit on January 26,
2015. Hence, the CA erred in issuing the assailed November 28, 2014 Resolution denying Doble's
motion for reconsideration, there being no more reason not to reinstate the petition for certiorari based
on procedural defects which have already been corrected. Needless to state, liberal construction of
procedural rules is the norm to effect substantial justice, and litigations should, as much as possible, be
decided on the merits and not on technicalities.87 (Emphasis in the original, citations omitted)

In Heirs of Amada Zaulda v. Zaulda,88 one (1) of the grounds cited by the Court of Appeals to support its dismissal of
the Petition for Review was petitioners' failure to provide competent evidence of identities on the Verification and
Certification against Forum Shopping.89 On this point, this Court held:

As regards the competent identity of the affiant in the Verification and Certification, records show that
he proved his identity before the notary public through the presentation of his Office of the Senior
Citizen (OSCA) identification card. Rule II, Sec. 12 of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice requires a
party to the instrument to present competent evidence of identity. Sec. 12, as amended, provides:

Sec. 12. Competent Evide1we of Identity. - The phrase "competent evidence of identity"
refers to the identification of an individual based on:

(a) at least one current identification document issued by an official agency bearing the
photograph and signature of the individual, such as but not limited to, passport, driver's
license, Professional Regulations Commission ID, National Bureau of Investigation
clearance, police clearance, postal ID, voter's ID, Barangay certification, Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-card, Social Security System (SSS) card, PhilHealth
card, senior citizen card, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID, OFW ID,
seaman's book, alien certificate of registration/immigrant certificate of registration,
government office ID, certificate from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled
Persons (NCWDP), Department of Social Welfare and Development certification [as
amended by A.M. No. 02-8- 13-SC dated February 19, 2008]; or
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(b) the oath or affirmation of one credible witness not privy to the instrument, document or
transaction who is personally known to the notary public and who personally knows the
individual, or of two credible witnesses neither of whom is privy to the instrument,
document or transaction who each personally knows the individual and shows to the
notary public documentary identification.

It is clear from the foregoing provisions that a senior citizen card is one of the competent identification
cards recognized in the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. For said reason, there was compliance with
the requirement. Contrary to the perception of the CA, attachment of a photocopy of the identification
card in the document is not required by the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. Even A.M. No. 02-8-13-
SC, amending Section 12 thereof, is silent on it. Thus, the CA's dismissal of the petition for lack of
competent evidence on the affiant's identity on the attached verification and certification against forum
shopping was without clear basis.

Even assuming that a photocopy of competent evidence of identity was indeed required, non-
attachment thereof would not render the petition fatally defective. It has been consistently held that
verification is merely a formal, not jurisdictional, requirement, affecting merely the form of the pleading
such that non-compliance therewith does not render the pleading fatally defective. It is simply intended
to provide an assurance that the allegations are true and correct and not a product of the imagination
or a matter of speculation, and that the pleading is filed in good faith. The court may in fact order the
correction of the pleading if verification is lacking or it may act on the pleading although it may not have
been verified, where it is made evident that strict compliance with the rules may be dispensed so that
the ends of justice may be served...

....

Again, granting arguendo that there was non-compliance with the verification requirement, the rule is
that courts should not be so strict about procedural lapses which do not really impair the proper
administration of justice. After all, the higher objective of procedural rule is to ensure that the
substantive rights of the parties are protected. Litigations should, as much as possible, be decided on
the merits and not on technicalities. Every party-litigant must be afforded ample opportunity for the
proper and just determination of his case, free from the unacceptable plea of technicalities.

In Coca-Cola Botilers v. De la Cruz, where the verification was marred only by a glitch in the evidence
of the identity of the affiant, the Court was of the considered view that, in the interest of justice, the
minor defect can be overlooked and should not defeat the petition.

The reduction in the number of pending cases is laudable, but if it would be attained by precipitate, if
not preposterous, application of technicalities, justice would not be served. The law abhors
technicalities that impede the cause of justice. The court's primary duty is to render or dispense justice.
"It is a more prudent course of action for the court to excuse a technical lapse and afford the parties a
review of the case on appeal rather than dispose of the case on technicality and cause a grave
injustice to the parties, giving a false impression of speedy disposal of cases while actually resulting in
more delay, if not miscarriage of justice.''

What should guide judicial action is the principle that a party-litigant should be given the fullest
opportunity to establish the merits of his complaint or defense rather than for him to lose life, liberty,
honor, or property on technicalities. The rules of procedure should be viewed as mere tools designed to
facilitate the attainment of justice. Their strict and rigid application, which would result in technicalities
that tend to frustrate rather than promote substantial justice, must always be eschewed.90 (Emphasis in
the original, citations omitted)

In Trajano v. Uniwide Sales Warehouse Club,91 respondent prayed for this Court's outright denial of the Petition for
Review due to petitioner's failure to provide competent evidence of identity in the verification page.92 This Court
brushed aside this technicality and held:

Contrary to Uniwide's claim, the records of the case show that the petition's verification page contains
Trajano's competent evidence of identity, specifically, Passport No. XX041470. Trajano's failure to
furnish Uniwide a copy of the petition containing his competent evidence of identity is a minor error that
this Court may and chooses to brush aside in the interest of substantial justice. This Court has, in
proper instances, relaxed the application of the Rules of Procedure when the party has shown
substantial compliance with it. In these cases, we have held that the rules of procedure should not be
applied in a very technical sense when it defeats the purpose for which it had been enacted, i.e., to
ensure the orderly, just and speedy dispensation of cases. We maintain this ruling in this procedural
aspect of this case.93 (Citations omitted)

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Despite the number of cases wherein this Court relaxed the application of procedural rules, this Court has
repeatedly reminded litigants that:

[T]he bare invocation of "the interest of substantial justice" is not a magic wand that will automatically
compel this Court to suspend procedural rules. "Procedural rules are not to be belittled or dismissed
simply because their non-observance may have resulted in prejudice to a party's substantive rights.
Like all rules, they are required to be followed except only for the most persuasive of reasons when
they may be relaxed to relieve a litigant of an injustice not commensurate with the degree of his
thoughtlessness in not complying with the procedure prescribed." The Court reiterates that rules of
procedure . . . "have oft been held as absolutely indispensable to the prevention of needless delays
and to the orderly and speedy discharge of business.... The reason for rules of this nature is because
the dispatch of business by courts would be impossible, and intolerable delays would result, without
rules governing practice. . . . Such rules are a necessary incident to the proper, efficient and orderly
discharge of judicial functions." Indeed, in no uncertain terms, the Court held that the said rules may be
relaxed only in "exceptionally meritorious cases."94 (Citations omitted)

Circumstances that may merit the relaxation of procedural rules are enumerated in Barnes v. Hon. Quijano Padilla,95
citing Sanchez v. Court of Appeals:96

In the Sanchez case, the Court restated the range of reasons whichmay provide justification for a court
to resist a strict adherence to procedure, enumerating the elements for an appeal to be given due
course by a suspension of procedural rules, such as: (a) matters of life, liberty, honor or property; (b)
the existence of special or compelling circumstances, (c) the merits of the case, (d) a cause not entirely
attributable to the fault or negligence of the party favored by the suspension of the rules, (e) a lack of
any showing that the review sought is merely frivolous and dilatory, and (t) the other party will not be
unjustly prejudiced thereby.97

In Republic v. Dagondon,98 the Court of Appeals dismissed petitioner's appeal for failure to timely file a motion for
reconsideration of the trial court decision.99 The Court of Appeals held that the trial court decision "could no longer
be assailed pursuant to the doctrine of finality and immutability of judgments."100 This Court relaxed its application of
the doctrine on immutability of judgment and held:

The mandatory character, however, of the rule on immutability of final judgments was not designed to
be an inflexible tool to excuse and overlook prejudicial circumstances. Hence, the doctrine must yield to
practicality, logic, fairness, and substantial justice.

....

[A] departure from the doctrine is warranted since its strict application would, in effect, circumvent and
undermine the stability of the Torrens System of land registration adopted in this jurisdiction. Relatedly,
it bears stressing that the subject matter of the instant controversy, i.e., Lot 84, is a sizeable parcel of
real property. More importantly, petitioner had adequately presented a strong and meritorious case.

Thus, in view of the aforesaid circumstances, the Court deems it apt to exercise its prerogative to
suspend procedural rules and to resolve the present controversy according to its merits.101 (Citations
omitted)

In People v. Layag,102 this Court likewise relaxed the rule on immutability of judgment due to a special or compelling
circumstance. This Court held that the death of accused-appellant is a compelling circumstance t h at warrants a re-
examination of the criminal case.103

In Philippine Bank of Communications v. Yeung,104 petitioner belatedly filed its Motion for Reconsideration before the
Court of Appeals.105 Nonetheless, this Court gave due course to the Petition for Review and held:

[W]e find the delay of 7 days, due to the withdrawal of the petitioner's counsel during the reglementary
period of filing an MR, excusable in light of the merits of the case. Records show that the petitioner
immediately engaged the services of a new lawyer to replace its former counsel and petitioned the CA
to extend the period of filing an MR due to lack of material time to review the case. There is no showing
that the withdrawal of its counsel was a contrived reason or an orchestrated act to delay the
proceedings; the failure to file an MR within the reglementary period of 15 days was also not entirely
the petitioner's fault, as it was not in control of its former counsel's acts.

Moreover, after a review of the contentions and the submissions of the parties, we agree that
suspension of the technical rules of procedure is warranted in this case in view of the CA's erroneous
application of legal principles and the substantial merits of the case. If the petition would be dismissed
on technical grounds and without due consideration of its merits, the registered owner of the prope11y
shall, in effect, be barred from taking possession, thus allowing the absurd and unfair situation where

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the owner cannot exercise its right of ownership. This, the Court should not allow. In order to prevent
the resulting inequity that might arise from the outright denial of this recourse - that is, the virtual
affirmance of the writ's denial to the detriment of the petitioner's right of ownership - we give due course
to this petition despite the late filing of the petitioner's MR before the CA.106 (Emphasis in the original)

In Development Bank of the Philippines v. Court of Appeals,107 petitioner failed to file its appellant's brief within the
extended period granted by the Court of Appeals. Thus, the Court of Appeals dismissed petitioner's appeal.108 This
Court reversed the dismissal and held:

Similarly, the case at bar is impressed with public interest. If petitioner's appeal is denied due course, a
government institution could lose a great deal of money over a mere technicality. Obviously, such an
appeal is far from being merely frivolous or dilatory.

....

Time and again, this Court has reiterated the doctrine that the rules of procedure are mere tools
intended to facilitate the attainment of justice, rather thm1 frustrate it. A strict and rigid application of the
rules must always be eschewed when it would subvert the rules' primary objective of enhancing fair
trials and expediting justice. Technicalities should never be used to defeat the substantive rights of the
other party. Every party-litigant must be afforded the amplest opportunity for the proper and just
determination of his cause, free from the constraints of technicalities.109 (Citations omitted)

In Parañaque Kings Enterprises, Inc. v. Court of Appeals,110 respondents prayed for the denial of the petition on the
ground that petitioner failed to file 12 copies of its brief, in violation of Rule 45, Section 2 of the Rules of Court.111
This Court dismissed the technical defect and held:

We have ruled that when non-compliance with the Rules was not intended for delay or did not result in
prejudice to the adverse party, dismissal of appeal on mere technicalities - in i:ases where appeal is a
matter of right - may be stayed, in the exercise of the court's equity jurisdiction. It does not appear that
respondents were unduly prejudiced by petitioner's nonfeasance. Neither has it been shown that such
failure was intentional.112 (Citation omitted)

III

Due to compelling circumstances in this case, this Court opts for a liberal application of procedural rules. First,
Department Personnel Order No. 2008-1452,113 which designated respondent as Officer-in-Charge of Bataan
General Hospital, Was signed by then Department of Health Secretary Duque. Duque was also tl1e signatory in the
2008 Memorandum of Agreement,114 the undated Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement,115 and the June 16,
2009 Memornnduh1 of Agreement,116 which were the bases of respondent's secondment. Duque was later
appointed as Civil Service Commission Chairman and signed the October 17, 2011 Decision and the July 17, 2012
Resolution of the Civil. Service Commission, dismissing the complaint against respondent. Clearly, a conflict of
interest existed when the public officer authorizing the secondment of respondent was also the same person
dismissing the complaint questioning respondent's secondment.

Second, resolving the merits of the case would "give more efficacy to the constitutional mandate on the
accountability of public officers and employees[.]"117 In Executive Judge Paredes v. Moreno,118 this Court found
respondent "guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service"119 for his continued absence of almost
three (3) months.120 This Court held:

His misconduct is prejudicial to the service. Although a mere employee/laborer in the City Court of
Manila, respondent is as much duty-bound to serve with the highest degree of responsibility, integrity,
loyalty and efficiency as all other public officers and employees . . . We find respondent's shortcomings
to warrant a sanction to serve as deterrent not only to him but also to other court employees who shall
commit the same or any and all forms of official misconduct which undermine the people's faith in their
fitness for public service.121

Furthermore, in the interest of judicial economy, the Court of Appeals should avoid dismissal of cases based merely
on technical grounds. Judicial economy requires the prosecution of cases "with the least cost to the parties"122 and
to the courts' time, effort, and resources.123

IV

On a final note, this Court clarifies the concept of forum shopping.

Forum shopping is generally judicial. It exists:

[W]henever a party "repetitively avail[s] of several judicial remedies in different courts, simultaneously
or successively, all substantially founded on the same transactions and the same essential facts and
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circumstances, and all raising substantially the same issues either pending in, or already resolved
adversely by, some other court." It has also been defined as "an act of a party against whom an
adverse judgment has been rendered in one forum of seeking and possibly getting a favorable opinion
in another forum, other than by appeal or the special civil action of certiorari, or the institution of two or
more actions or proceedings grounded on the same cause on the supposition that one or the other
court would make a favorable disposition." Considered a pernicious evil, it adversely affects the
efficient administration of justice since it clogs the court dockets, unduly burdens the financial and
human resources of the judiciary, and trifles with and mocks judicial processes.124 (Citations omitted)

The test to determine whether or not forum shopping was committed was explained in Dy, et al. v. Yu, et al.:125

To determine whether a party violated the rule against forum Shopping, the most important factor to ask
is whether the element of litis pendentia is present, or whether a final judgment in one case will amount
to res judicata in another. Otherwise stated, the test for determining forum shopping is whether in the
two (or more) cases pending, there is identity of parties, rights or causes of action, and reliefs sought. If
a situation of litis pendentia or res judicata arises by virtue of a party's commencement of a judicial
remedy identical to one which already exists (either pending or already resolved), then a forum
shopping infraction is committed.126 (Emphasis in the original, citation omitted)

In Ligtas v. People,127 this Court reiterated that res judicata may also be applied to "decisions rendered by agencies
in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings and not to purely administrative proceedings[.]"128 In Salazar v. De Leon,129
this Court further held:

Res judicata is a concept applied in the review of lower court decisions in accordance with the
hierarchy of courts. But jurisprudence has also recognized the rule of administrative res judicata: "The
rule which forbids the reopening of a matter once judicially determined by competent authority applies
as well to the judicial and quasi-judicial facts of public, executive or administrative officers and boards
acting within their jurisdiction as to the judgments of courts having general judicial powers ... It has
been declared that whenever final adjudication of persons invested with power to decide on the
property and rights of the citizen is examinable by the Supreme Court, upon a writ of error or a
certiorari, such final adjudication may be pleaded as res judicata." To be sure, early jurisprudence was
already mindful that the doctrine of res judicata cannot be said to apply exclusively to decisions
rendered by what are usually understood as courts without unreasonably circumscribing the scope
thereof; and that the more equitable attitude is to allow extension of the defense to decisions of bodies
upon whom judicial powers have been conferred.130 (Citations omitted)

Thus, forum shopping, in the concept of res judicata, is applicable to judgments or decisions of administrative
agencies performing judicial or quasi-judicial functions.

WHEREFORE, the Petition is GRANTED. The Resolutions dated January 22, 2013 and July 16, 2013 of the Court
of Appeals in CA-GR. SP No. 127252 are REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The case is hereby REMANDED to the
Court of Appeals for a resolution on the merits of the case.

SO ORDERED.

MARVIC M.V.F. LEONEN

Associate Justice

WE CONCUR:

On official leave
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.*
Associate Justice

LUCAS P. BERSAMIN**
SAMUEL R. MARTIRES
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson

ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO
Associate Justice

ATTESTATION

I attest that the conclusions in the above Decisionhad been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to
the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.

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LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson, Third Division

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to the Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division Acting Chairperson’s Attestation, I certify
that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the
writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.

MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO

Chief Justice

Footnotes
*
On official leave.
**
Designated Acting Chairperson per S.O. No. 2514 dated November 8, 2017.
1
Rollo, pp. 8-38.
2
Id. at 39. The Resolution was witnessed by Associate Justices Rebecca De Guia-Salvador, Apolinario D.
Bruselas, Jr., and Samuel H. Gaerlan of the Third Division, Court of Appeals, Manila.
3
Id. at 40. The Resolution was witnessed by Associate Justices Rebecca De Guia-Salvador, Apolinario D.
Bruselas, Jr., and Samuel H. Gaerlan of the Third Division, Court of Appeals, Manila.
4
Id. at 173-186. The Decision was penned by Commissioner Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza and signed
by Chairman Francisco T. Duque Ill. Commissioner Rasol L. Mitmug was on leave.
5
Id. at 188-191. The Resolution was penned by Commissioner Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza and signed
by Chairman Francisco T. Duque III.
6
Id. at 35, Petition for Review.
7
Id. at 186, Civil Service Commission Decision.
8
Id. at 39, Court of Appeals Resolution dated January 22, 2013.
9
Id. at 58-72.
10
Id. at 71.
11
Id. at 60-61.
12
Id. at 61.
13
Id. at 61-62.
14
Id. at 62.
15
Id.
16
Id. at 62-66.
17
Id. at 63.
18
Id. at 64.
19
Id. at 63-65.
20
Id. at 65.
21
Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of Executive Order No. 292, Rule VII, Section 9(a) provides:

SECTION 9. Secondment is a movement of an employee from one department or agency to

another which is temporary in nature and which may or may not require the issuance of an

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appointment but may either involve reduction of' increase in compensation.

Secondment shall be governed by the following general guidelines:

(a) Secondment for a period exceeding one year shall be subject to approval by the
Commission.
22
Rollo, pp. 65-66, Complaint,
23
Id. at 66.
24
Id. at 66-70.
25
Id. at 67.
26
Id. at 68.
27
Id. at 67-68.
28
Id. at 69-70.
29
Id. at 173-186.
30
Id. at 180-185.
31
Id. at 185.
32
Id.
33
Id.
34
Id.
35
Id.
36
Id. at 186.
37
Id.
38
Id.
39
Id. at 189-190, Civil Service Commission Resolution.
40
Id. at 188-191.
41
Id. at 190.
42
Id. at 39.
43
Id.
44
Id. at 40.
45
Id. at 8-38.
46
Id. at 35.
47
Id. at 27-29.
48
Id. at 29-30.
49
Id. at 30-35.
50
Id. at 204-213.
51
Id. at 206-209.
52
Id. at 214-220.
53
Id. At 216-218.
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54
See Lazaro v. Court of Appeals, 386 Phil. 412, 417-418 (2000) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division], Samala
v. Court of Appeals, 416 Phil. I, 7 (2001) [Per J. Pardo, First Division], Norris v. Hon. Parentela, Jr., 446 Phil.
462, 472 (2003) [Per J. Quisumbing, Second Division], and National Power Corporation v. Southern
Philippines Power Corporation, G.R. No. 219627, July 4, 2016, 795 SCRA 540, 551 [Per J. Leonen, Second
Division].
55
275 Phil. 894 (1991) [Per J. Cruz, First Division].
56
Id. at 898.
57
769 Phil. 466 (2015) [Per J. Perez, First Division].
58
Id. at 473.
59
Rollo, p. 39, Court of Appeals Decision.
60
439 Phil. 887 (2002) [Per J. Quisumbing, Second Division].
61
Id. at 895-896.
62
534 Phil. 222 (2006) [Per J. Austria-Martinez, First Division].
63
Id. at 230.
64
768 Phil. 10 (2015) [Per J. Leonen. En Banc].
65
Id. at 25, citing Bar Matter No. 850 (200 I), Rule I, sec. 1.
66
Heirs of Amada Zaulda v. Zaulda, 729 Phil. 639, 650 (2014) [Per J. Mendoza, Third Division].
67
City of Dagupan v. Maramba, 738 Phil. 71, 87-89 (2014) [Per J. Leonen, Third Division], citing Sy v. Local
Government of Quezon City, 710 Phil. 549, 557-558 (2013) [Per J. Perlas-Bernabe, Second Division], United
Airlines v. Uy, 376 Phil. 688, 697 (1999) [Per J. Bellosillo, Second Division], and Samala v. Court of Appeals,
416 Phil. l, 7 (2001) [Per J. Pardo, First Division]. See also National Power Corporation v. Southern
Philippines Power Corporation, G.R. No. 219627, July 4, 2016, 795 SCRA 540, 551 [Per J. Leonen, Second
Division], citing Raga/anon v. Court of Appeals, 166 Phil. 699, 702 (1977) [Per J. Martin, First Division].
68
582 Phil. 600 (2008) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Third Division].
69
Id. at 610.
70
Id. at 612--613.
71
667 Phil. 808 (2011) [Per J. Del Castillo, First Division].
72
Id. at 815 and 817.
73
Id. at 817.
74
Id. at 817-818.
75
406 Phil. 589 (2001) [Per J. Gonzaga-Reyes. Third Division].
76
Id. at 592-593.
77
Id. at 596.
78
514 Phil. 187 (2005) [Per J. Ynares-Santiago, First Division].
79
Id. at 194.
80
Id. at 195.
81
683 Phil. 356 (2012) [Per J. Brion, Second Division].
82
Id. at 364.
83
Id. at 364.

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84
GR No. 215627, June 5, 2017 <http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.htm l?file=/j
urisprudence/2017/june2017 /215627 .pdf> [Per J. Peralta, Second Division].
85
Id. at 12.
86
772 Phil. 440, 448-449 (2015) [Per J. Peralta, Third Division].
87
Doble, Jr. v. ABB, Inc., GR. No. 215627, June 5, 2017 <http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?
tile=/jurisprudence/2017/june2017 /215627.pdf> 12-13 [Per J. Peralta, Second Division].
88
729 Phil. 639 (2014) [Per J. Mendoza, Third Division].
89
Id. at 641-642.
90
Id. at 649-652.
91
736 Phil. 264 (2014) [Per J. Brion, Second Division].
92
Id. at 272.
93
Id. at 273-274.
94
Lazaro v. Court of Appeals, 386 Phil. 412, 417-418 (2000) [Per J, Panganiban, Third Division]. See also
Valderrama v. People, G.R. No. 220054, March 27, 2017 [Per J. Leonen, Second Division].
95
500 Phil. 303 (2005) [Per J, Austria-Martinez, Second Division].
96
452 Phil. 665 (2003) [Per J. Bollosillo, En Banc].
97
Barnes v. Hon. Quijano Padilla, 500 Phil. 303, 31l (2005) (Per J. Austria-Martinez, Second Division], citing
Sanchez v. Court of Appeals, 452 Phil. 665, 674 (2003) [Per J. Bellosillo, En Banc].
98
G.R. No. 210540, April 19, 2016, 790 SCRA 414 [Per J. Perla-Bernabe, First Division].
99
Id. at 4l9.
100
Id.
101
Id. at 420-421.
102
G.R. No, 214875, October 17, 2016 <http://sc.judkiary.gov.ph/pdfi'web/vicwer.html?file=/jurisprudence/20 l
6/october20l6/214875 .pdf> [Per J. Perlas-Bernabe, First Division].
103
Id. at 3.
104
722 Phil. 710 (2013) [Per J. Brion, Second Division].
105
Id. at 718.
106
Id. at 722-723.
107
411 Phil.121 (200l)[Per J. Gonzaga-Reyes, Third Division].
108
Id. at 131.
109
Id. at 136-138.
110
335 Phil. 1184 (1997) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division].
111
Id. at l193-1194.
112
Id. at 1194.
113
Rollo, p. 44.
114
Id. At 41-43.
115
Id. at 45-46.
116
Id.at47--50.
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117
Executive Judge Paredes v. Moreno, 187 Phil. 542, 546 (1980) [Per J. De Casiro, First Division].
118
187 Phil. 542 (1980) [Per J. De Casrro, First Division].
119
Id. 8t 546.
120
Id. at 545.
121
Id. at 545-546.
122
E.I. Dupont De Nemours and Co. v. Francisco, G.R. No. 174379, August 31, 2016
<http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdfi'web/v iewer.html?file>=/j urisprudence/20 l 6/august20l6/174379 .pdf> 9 (Per J.
Leonen, Second Division].
123
See Bank of Commerce v. Perlas-Bernabe, 64~ PhiL.326 (2010) [Per J. Peralta, Second Division].
124
Canuto, Jr. v. National Labor Relations Commission, 412 Phil. 467, 474 (2001) (Per J. De Leon, Jr.,
Second Division].
125
763 Phil. 491 (2015) [Per J. Perlas-Bernabe, First Division].
126
Id. at 511.
127
766 Phil. 750(2015) [Per J. Leonen, Second Division].
128
Id. at 771.
129
596 Phil. 472 (2009) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Third Division].
130
Id. at 489.

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